Patriots @ Giants: What To Watch For
by Ed Valentine on Sep 2, 2010 7:00 AM EDT
in New York Giants News
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PrintTonight's final preseason game at Meadowlands Stadium against the New England Patriots is a largely meaningless affair. There are still, however, a few things I will be looking for as I watch the game.
If you have read my other 'what to watch for' lists before previous exhibition games you will likely see some familiar items. Let's go through the list.
- Defensive Improvement: There were lots of reasons given for why the Giants defense did not play well in the first half Saturday against Joe Flacco and the Baltimore Ravens. They weren't ready for the no-huddle, they played man-to-man to test the kids at corner (who failed, miserably), they didn't play their techniques as well in the game as they have been in practice. Whatever. The front-line defenders will likely only play a series or two, and I want to be impressed. Three-and-outs, a turnover. I will be discouraged if I see the Patriots moving the ball at will.
- Can somebody return a kick, please?: Tim Brown. Andre Brown. Victor Cruz. Mario Manningham. D.J. Ware. Shawn Andrews. Linval Joseph. Shoot, Tom Coughlin used to be a running back and he still has some wheels. Maybe he should suit up and give it a try. Somebody. Anybody. Run back a kickoff and get out past the 25-yard line. Oh, and catch the ball and hold onto it when returning punts. After that I really don't care.
- What will Rhett do?: Will Rhett Bomar play well and make the Giants stop worrying about whether he should be Eli Manning's backup? Or, will he play like an inexperienced young kid and make Jerry Reese scurry to the phone and start calling agents for available backup QBs?
- The offensive line: I am very curious to see how the Giants line up for their first offensive series or two. The starting group has not, as of this writing, been publically clarified. I know Shaun O'Hara won't play against the Patriots, but I'm anxious to see what decisions have been made with that group.
- The linebackers: We have been here before, but I am primarily curious about the Keith Bulluck-Clint Sintim-Jonathan Goff triumvirate. There are two spots and three players, and this is another spot where I'm still not completely sure how it plays out. My guess is this will be an ongoing thing based on who is playing well and who is healthy.
(E-mail Ed at bigblueview@gmail.com. Follow Big Blue View on Twitter.)
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bomar
If we stop giving him reps at mlb that would solve two problems….he would get reps at qb and then we could see other players at the mike…even though once you see bomar hovering back there no mlb would be good enough
He's running back kicks tonight
Coughlin will be the blocker. Another great idea from Tom Quinn.
by UnknownJintsFan on Sep 2, 2010 7:47 AM EDT up reply actions
Doesn't even need blockers
He forms his own wedge and gives the rest of the players a breather
plus
As usual, a precise round-up.
I would add to more things to look for.
One, somewhat minor, is how (if he plays much) Bradshaw hits his holes. It appeared that he missed his hole on one series in the 1st Q last week but managed to recover. But on that infamous 4th and 1, he clearly missed a hole that was there. Though why he was in even in the game for that play, I do not know.
The other area to watch for is completed passes over the middle- around 7 yards deep. The Ravens thrived on that and the Pats with Welker, of course, Faulk, and now those two rookie tight ends, love that pattern. it may be obvious, but if the Giants can’t fix that, then this season might be very long, indeed.
Thanks, as always, for your calming and mostly accurate insights.
(One more thing, though beaten to death, on Leinart. Aside from the fact that no one on BBV thinks this would be good for the Giants, only one or two people brought up the fact, and I think you were one of them, that he is left handed. The Giants have enough problems with a left tackle now- can’t imagine the mess a right tackle pass blocker would cause.)
Thanks, again.
Yes, they did
And that might partially be fixed by playing less man. It might partially be on Goff. But, that has been a defensive problem for the Giants for years, even under Spags. It’s not something that is going to go away quickly.
A 3-4 defense would nip those 7 yard passes in the bud....
by giant fan since 57 on Sep 2, 2010 4:30 PM EDT up reply actions
A worthwhile LB in any defense
would nip those in the bud
4th and 1
I’d rather have the speedy Bradshaw than Jacobs. Jacobs is too slow and too big.
"I don't do many endorsements. I'd rather get doused by Gatorade than bust my butt selling it." - Bill Parcells
Bradshaw was getting stuffed last week
trying to gain one yard.
"No one stands on the top of the world. Not you, not me, not even gods. But the unbearable vacancy of the throne in the sky is over. From now on...I will be sitting on it."
by MrDollarBills on Sep 2, 2010 1:46 PM EDT up reply actions
Giants play calling
on 3rd or 4th and 1 is TERRIBLE! Very predictable. They run the same Effing play. Hedgecock leading Jacobs. The defenders all crash down on hedgecock. There’s nowhere to run. You can’t move 3000 pounds of human fat.
Note to Killdrive. Try some play action
"I don't do many endorsements. I'd rather get doused by Gatorade than bust my butt selling it." - Bill Parcells
by FrankB03 on Sep 2, 2010 2:06 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Why
does it seem we fail miseribly in short yardage while other offenses have much success vs our defense.
"I don't do many endorsements. I'd rather get doused by Gatorade than bust my butt selling it." - Bill Parcells
by FrankB03 on Sep 2, 2010 2:08 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Business as usual under the Coughlin regime, everything looks perfect for the opposing team while we half ass it. I can’t complain though, at least we got a championship out of it
"No one stands on the top of the world. Not you, not me, not even gods. But the unbearable vacancy of the throne in the sky is over. From now on...I will be sitting on it."
by MrDollarBills on Sep 2, 2010 2:23 PM EDT up reply actions
This is why
I honestly cannot wait til Coughlin, Gilbride, and the rest of the yahoos are out of here for good.
I sat there in disbelief last week after watching the Giants march up the field on one of the better drives I’ve seen from them during the preseason(w. Eli on the field), only to watch Bradshaw get stuffed short of a yard on two horrific play calls. I loved when Eli demanded that he wanted to go for it. There was nothing wrong with that. But that playcall was god awful. Bradshaw up the middle, against the Ravens’ defense on a 4th and 1??
"No one stands on the top of the world. Not you, not me, not even gods. But the unbearable vacancy of the throne in the sky is over. From now on...I will be sitting on it."
by MrDollarBills on Sep 2, 2010 2:17 PM EDT up reply actions
Preseason game
Don’t you think the fact that it was preseason had something to do with that? I do. The Giants are trying to establish physical play on offense, establish that they can run for tough yards with simple power plays. You have to do things like that now. It was really a test of the linemen. If you’re going nuts about play calls now, then you are not watching the game with the right perspective.
There is a reason why they do things like that. Now, regular season, and you would have a legit complaint.
But Ed, throwing Kevin Gilbride under the bus.....
….is an artform that requires practice….i’m trying to get some reps in here while there’s still time left in the preseason. I want my bitching about the offensive playcalling to be at about or around my usual midseason form when the regular season kicks off.
"No one stands on the top of the world. Not you, not me, not even gods. But the unbearable vacancy of the throne in the sky is over. From now on...I will be sitting on it."
by MrDollarBills on Sep 2, 2010 3:15 PM EDT up reply actions
Lol
Nice.
"Thirty-nine seconds left...Manning lobs it, Burress alone, touchdown New York."
by tito (eight and oh) on Sep 2, 2010 4:51 PM EDT up reply actions
LOL!!
As often as I defend KG, I suppose it’s good that you are giving me preseason reps doing that, too. Ha! Gotta love it!
not only is it an artform
but it gets better with age….like a fine wine.
"If I'm curt, then I apologize" - Newman
I'd like to have Jacobs and Bradshaw....
Hand the ball off the AB…and than hand AB off to Jacbos and let him throw him over the pile!
"If I'm curt, then I apologize" - Newman
you guys can always turn the channel to the Ohio State Buckeyes tonight
Watching some great football might put you all in better moods
what the hell is a justin bieber?
I thought we were jumping last week?
I’m in this cast for nothing!
"Osi said he's going to London to see the Eiffel Tower."
upsetting that the
Full starting Oline won’t get on the field tonight for any snaps. This has now officially become my biggest area of concern with this squad.
Hoping to get alot more confident in Bomar, I don’t want some washed up backup. I want this kid to win this job outright.
I’ve given up on Special teams, just don’t lose the games for us Quinn. find a warm body that doesn’t play any role on the offense or defense that can catch and hang onto the ball to run out there as a sacrificial lamb to the football gods each week. Our scheme sucks and this dude needs a new career.
Def. I’mstill not reading anything into what I’m seeing because we’re clearly still playing a generic vanilla scheme, or trying out things on an experimental basis, like Corey Webster at Safety, yes I watched it twice to make sure it was what I thought I saw… so the Def we see tonight will likely be underwhelming, although Ed is right it would be nice to see one of those LB’s decide they want to start next Sunday.
thank you
C webster was playing S on that play.
"If I'm curt, then I apologize" - Newman
by andiamo708 on Sep 2, 2010 8:40 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Andrews
Is another guy I’m watching closely. I just don’t see this guy being a long term backup. I think if he’s not starting soon or showing the potential to do so he will be cut
"If I'm curt, then I apologize" - Newman
by andiamo708 on Sep 2, 2010 8:47 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
Andrews
I doubt you will see him in the starting lineup, at least early on. He needs to gain more understanding of the offense, which will take some time.
that maybe the case....but if he doesn't not prove to the organization that it WILL be the case he'll be gone....
this year.
JR believes he’s one of the best 5 Olinemen on the team when he’s playing to form….
There are a lot of incentives for him…especially in year 2….if he’s not projected to start they won’t go into the season paying out the nose for him to be at training camp, practice, etc.
and I think they’ll have their answer this year….
"If I'm curt, then I apologize" - Newman
Andrews
I think this guy if his back injuries are behind him, will be a Pro Bowler next year . He was showing some real power moving guys off the ball, albeit against 2’s and 3’s. If he can crack the lineup sometime this year, stay healthy and then be a full time starter next year, he’ll be back in the Pro Bowl.
Lot of if’s though which is why the Giants gave him a lot of incentives. Remember, he’s only 27.
well that's the plan....
to be the starter…..you don’t set up these incentives for a guy to collect all this money over the next two years unless he’s starting…..eventually.
Ed is clearly correct that he needs to learn the offense and gap assignments and things like that….but if he is not physically able to shoulder the load I think we’ll find out pretty quick b/c he’ll be gone.
"If I'm curt, then I apologize" - Newman
You might be right
I really miss the great special teams play from those Parcells teams (yeah, that was a long time ago). That was the difference maker in a couple of games each year. He made a lot of final roster spot decisions based largely on special teams play. TC needs to get back to that kind of emphasis on special teams play.
Welcome to the club
Against all odds, against all circumstance were you don't have a shot, you succeed
All you hear about is the past, the past... the past is the !@#$ing past, this is the present.
THIS IS TEMPORARY! A CHAMPIONSHIP IS PERMANENT
-Michael Strahan
I saw from the Rams-Pats game
a shot of FredRob squashing Brady into the turf and it made me smile…
Things to look for:
No injuries
Control both lines of scrimmage
no injuries
Bomar a solid No. 2 (Nickel Safety)
no injuries
You play to win the game!
noinjuriesnoinjuriesnoinjuriesnoinjuriesnoinjuriesnoinjuriesnoinjuriesnoinjuriesnoinjuriesnoinjuries
noinjuriesnoinjuriesnoinjuriesnoinjuriesnoinjuriesnoinjuriesnoinjuriesnoinjuriesnoinjuriesnoinjuries
"Thirty-nine seconds left...Manning lobs it, Burress alone, touchdown New York."
by tito (eight and oh) on Sep 2, 2010 9:13 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
now I not a doctor
but are trying to let us know you don’t want anyway to get hurt in tonight’s game?
"It's easy being a winner in the pros. Try winning two high school basketball championships, like I did" - Cooper Manning
by The Always Well Dressed... on Sep 2, 2010 10:45 AM EDT up reply actions
correction "I'm"
"It's easy being a winner in the pros. Try winning two high school basketball championships, like I did" - Cooper Manning
by The Always Well Dressed... on Sep 2, 2010 10:45 AM EDT up reply actions
It's a prayer.
From the Chruch of Simms-McConkey.
"Thirty-nine seconds left...Manning lobs it, Burress alone, touchdown New York."
by tito (eight and oh) on Sep 2, 2010 11:25 AM EDT up reply actions
Did anybody see the latest Osi quotes?
He really might become the team leader this year if he’s back 100% physically. Love this!!
Here is a link to the ESPN article:
http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/giants/
Just read it
Makes you feel pumped for the season. “Team first, team last, team everything”. I love that saying. It’s so Giants. You know, the way Osi’s talking, it makes you think that the Giants are keeping stuff under wraps big time, especially on defense. I look forward to seeing what their real game prepped ‘D’ is going to look like. It’s way too early to pass judgment on it, that’s for sure.
I love what he's saying
If Osi, Tuck, and Kiwi can play how we know they can play, than the defense will be fine.
Against all odds, against all circumstance were you don't have a shot, you succeed
All you hear about is the past, the past... the past is the !@#$ing past, this is the present.
THIS IS TEMPORARY! A CHAMPIONSHIP IS PERMANENT
-Michael Strahan
Osi
That’s the mantra this year: team first, team last, team everything. We will be physical, we will be aggressive, we will be a dominant football team." That gave me the chills. hell yeah!
I would love to see any RB except Jacobs
able to pick up the blitz on third down. Jacobs is not a third down back, but we have to keep him in their on third down as apparently three or four years in the league is not long enough to learn to read and react for blitz pick-up. It really limits Gilbride and helps make us predictable on the most crucial of downs. You don’t think he WANTS to pass to Hedgecock do you?
i actually like jacobs out the backfield
From my memory.. he’s mad a lot of success catching balls out of the backfield. I just dont see why they dont do it more with him. He has dropped a few..but catches most, and when he does get that pass..he makes pretty good yardage.
"they try to do what he do, and been where he's been, but they get folded in two.....he's the dude"
Your memory must be faulty
The only back on the Giants who has worse hands than Jacobs is Hedgecock. Throw the ball to Bradshaw, not to Jacobs.
nah
I know bradshaw is a better option. But as many chances Jacobs has had, he has made good out of em.
"they try to do what he do, and been where he's been, but they get folded in two.....he's the dude"
Andre
We will be passing the ball to Andre Brown on 3rd down because he will be our 3rd down back.
by nicksdafuture on Sep 2, 2010 12:55 PM EDT up reply actions
Very True
I don’t know hy they keep throwing him the ball, drops half of them, They should use Bradshaew and now Brown to do that. What can Brown can do for you, like the UPS metaphor.
"Unless your drink is expecting rain, you should probably reconsider.
STAY THIRSTY my friends".
by Great Gatsby on Sep 2, 2010 12:58 PM EDT up reply actions
Jacobs can't catch to save his life
"No one stands on the top of the world. Not you, not me, not even gods. But the unbearable vacancy of the throne in the sky is over. From now on...I will be sitting on it."
by MrDollarBills on Sep 2, 2010 1:49 PM EDT up reply actions
OL and LB
Do you all think that the ones who line up on the first set of plays are an indication of who will start the season…specifically Sintim at SAM and Beatty at LT?
I know O’Hara will not start which may complicate the OL a bit.
But if I were to guess right now, despite being handed the jobs, neither Beatty nor Sintim have earned starting slots.
Thoughts?
MLB
I think Boley is our best LB right now. If Bullock is 100% healthy, then maybe he is our starting SAM but I am not totally sold on him being the Bullock of old until I see it so I think Sintim will play a lot too especially with Blackburn’s knee injury. The biggest question is who starts in the middle? None of these guys (Goff, Wilkinson, Dillard) has really stood out.
LB situation looks pretty bleak
"No one stands on the top of the world. Not you, not me, not even gods. But the unbearable vacancy of the throne in the sky is over. From now on...I will be sitting on it."
by MrDollarBills on Sep 2, 2010 1:56 PM EDT up reply actions
you look pretty bleak
You play to win the game!
by Simms-McConkey on Sep 2, 2010 2:59 PM EDT up reply actions
my feelings, they are hurt
"No one stands on the top of the world. Not you, not me, not even gods. But the unbearable vacancy of the throne in the sky is over. From now on...I will be sitting on it."
by MrDollarBills on Sep 2, 2010 3:18 PM EDT up reply actions
ERN OVER AND OUT
I am heartbroken. No offense Ed, I love u too, but my favorite forum Erns blog has shut down. That sellout is going to the same crap outfit that has the Big Blue Wrecking Crew messaage board is on Scout.com. He has deserted a loyal following and I think I will now be a full-fledged Ed poster.
Ernie P.
Gotta realize the guy has to make a living. He was doing his own blog w/no income until he was able to find work he could get paid for. It’s not a ‘sell out.’ It’s making a living, and I’m glad he found a way to do so.
by Ed Valentine on Sep 2, 2010 11:06 AM EDT up reply actions
he's a cowboys spy that has infiltrated our staff!!!!
he looks miserable.
by Last year in Sec 127 on Sep 2, 2010 11:48 AM EDT up reply actions
Patriots @ Giants: What To Watch For...
…guys in blue stepping up and making big plays.
This should be on the “what to watch for” list every week.
by Step up and make big plays on Sep 2, 2010 10:15 AM EDT reply actions
Thanks Osi, we needed that.
What to watch for: A close eye should be kept on our WR corp.
Manningham has been off balance during the limited time that he has played in the last few preseason games. Aside from a unknown injury that may be hindering his performance, although I do remember reading that he was having problems with his groin during training camp, I don’t know why he has played poorly of late but I am looking to see if he rebounds tonight.
Steve Smith has been consistent in terms of completeing catches but he still hasn’t managed to gain much yardage after the catch. I really don’t expect that to change but I would like to see this for it will show that he is getting better as he is getting older.
If I am not mistaken Nicks has been invloved in a catch that has totaled more then 15 yards in the preseason yet.I know its still preseason but give me one to let me know that the ability to do so is still there.
A game of Chess is like a sword fight....you must think first....before you move.
by LoNJDTechnology on Sep 2, 2010 11:05 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
I wanna see all that too
in addition to Ramses getting on the field. but if all take that step foward this season, it makes the WR corp even better then last year and maybe… just maybe, one of the better groups in the NFL. But how long are they gonna play for. We may be gettin a lot of Tiny Tim, Cruz and Duke all night
"It's easy being a winner in the pros. Try winning two high school basketball championships, like I did" - Cooper Manning
by The Always Well Dressed... on Sep 2, 2010 11:25 AM EDT up reply actions
Forgot about Barden but I am officially off his wagon.
Cruz has shown me enough to know that he can get the job done. He has shown that he has good hands. He has shown that he can catch in tight coverage. His speed is sufficient enough to breakaway from an average DB and his focus on an inbound pass is proven.
Ed loves Tim but I haven’t seen much of him to form an opnion yet so I will be looking for him to perform tonigh as well.
In the little time that our first string WRs do get, I will be looking to see if they overcome the shortcomings that I touched on above. Hopefuly they won’t disappoint.
A game of Chess is like a sword fight....you must think first....before you move.
by LoNJDTechnology on Sep 2, 2010 12:15 PM EDT up reply actions
its easy to forget Barden
but I have not given up on him yet, but I am VERY close to it. If he is inactive for the 1st few games, I think we will never see him in any important role all year.
"It's easy being a winner in the pros. Try winning two high school basketball championships, like I did" - Cooper Manning
by The Always Well Dressed... on Sep 2, 2010 12:51 PM EDT up reply actions
If Cruz is "active" week 1 and Barden is "inactive"
(both being healthy)…..
I"ll change my profile picture to Kevin Gilbride….for the first 6 weeks of the season.
"If I'm curt, then I apologize" - Newman
don't want to see his face unless
you can find a picture of buddy ryan punching out Gilbribe
"It's easy being a winner in the pros. Try winning two high school basketball championships, like I did" - Cooper Manning
by The Always Well Dressed... on Sep 2, 2010 1:05 PM EDT up reply actions
well you better hope Barden is active than....
LOL, i’m a man of my word
"If I'm curt, then I apologize" - Newman
God I hope he's inactive...
"Thirty-nine seconds left...Manning lobs it, Burress alone, touchdown New York."
by tito (eight and oh) on Sep 2, 2010 2:04 PM EDT up reply actions
that was one of the weakest punches every thrown in the history of the NFL...
but a classic moment none the less….
good find Costanza….
"If I'm curt, then I apologize" - Newman
Agreed!
"Thirty-nine seconds left...Manning lobs it, Burress alone, touchdown New York."
by tito (eight and oh) on Sep 2, 2010 11:26 AM EDT up reply actions
Manningham
I think its been the chemistry, or lack thereof, between him and Bomar. If he’s on the field with Eli he’ll be fine.
by nicksdafuture on Sep 2, 2010 12:59 PM EDT up reply actions
Devon Hester
would anyone trade for him to be our return guy? if so who would you be willing to give up?
hester would solve that problem real quick… punt returns at least.. still gotta be able to block kickoffs
by Plaxico Burress on Sep 2, 2010 11:51 AM EDT reply actions
Hester
is a starting wide receiver now for the Bears, doesn’t even return kicks for them anymore. The Bears aren’t going to trade him.
"Unless your drink is expecting rain, you should probably reconsider.
STAY THIRSTY my friends".
by Great Gatsby on Sep 2, 2010 12:53 PM EDT up reply actions
he might be one of the worst "starting" receivers in the league
by Plaxico Burress on Sep 2, 2010 1:52 PM EDT up reply actions
easily
"No one stands on the top of the world. Not you, not me, not even gods. But the unbearable vacancy of the throne in the sky is over. From now on...I will be sitting on it."
by MrDollarBills on Sep 2, 2010 1:54 PM EDT up reply actions
no
He would help but I think it’s more than just the guy returning the kick, it’s the whole scheme.
First problem is you need a guy that can make the first one or 2 defenders miss, then you need the coverage team to set up a lane for the guy to run to. We don’t have any of it.
Maybe we can trade for Hester AND the Bears ST coach?
Belichick is notorius for ...
not playing any starters in the final pre-season game, so I don’t know what we will be able to take away from this one, unless our 1’s stink it up against their 2’s – and that’s certainly not what we want to see.
I just
want our first team offense, to get a drive and score some ponts, and get off the field. Let Bomar get some badly needed reps. I wouldn’t be too sure that Belicheck won’t play his first teamers more, Rams had the ball for 43 minutes last week. Also his QB, was crying about more playing time this week.
"Unless your drink is expecting rain, you should probably reconsider.
STAY THIRSTY my friends".
by Great Gatsby on Sep 2, 2010 12:23 PM EDT up reply actions
I wouldn't be shocked
"No one stands on the top of the world. Not you, not me, not even gods. But the unbearable vacancy of the throne in the sky is over. From now on...I will be sitting on it."
by MrDollarBills on Sep 2, 2010 1:54 PM EDT up reply actions
Penalties!!!
I’ve had just about enough of the false starts and BS illegal procedure penalties. If I see ONE MORE delay of game penalty…
It seemed like we were very disciplined a few years ago but last year was A LIVING NIGHTMARE!!
"Osi said he's going to London to see the Eiffel Tower."
What to watch for?
I aint watching. Preseason football is bad. the last preseason game is akin to watching olympic fencing.
"I don't do many endorsements. I'd rather get doused by Gatorade than bust my butt selling it." - Bill Parcells
by FrankB03 on Sep 2, 2010 2:14 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
3rd down
Some has to change the overall schemes, other teams know Giants are predictable. Was quite a problem. I cannot understand how a professional OC/HC cannot see this and make some changes. 3rd down and short, play action, sweep it after sending Hedgehog into the line, pull a guard do something different. Pass out to the flat or something. As for kickoffs, as was said, the entire ST program has sucked, still sucks. HC has to step in or can someone. Please don’t do this “wait until end of season” like we did with Sheridan. The insanity of it all drives me crazy. Insanity is doing the same dumb thing that is not working over and over and expecting a different result. BTW, I have not given up hope on Rameses, he is still young, has the talent. Wait a while before chopping his head off. Look at how much time was given to Moss…
I will be watching to see if for however many series
that Tuck and Osi get those ears perked up when they see Brady behind center.
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